St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park

Location: Mile 42 on the Hummingbird Highway, Cayo District, just four miles south of Armenia Village and one mile from Ringtail Village.

The park managed by the Belize Audubon Society consists of 575 acres of forest with trail systems, cave and swimming opportunities.

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By Bus
The public buses going either North or South along the Hummingbird Highway pass the park virtually every hour, check with Novelo's or James’ Bus Lines for schedules and prices.

By Vehicle
From the Western Highway, turn at the well-marked junction for the Hummingbird Highway which is just across from Guandacaste National Park. Travel south for approximately 14 miles until see the signs for the park. There are two entrances at the park, both with parking available.

By Taxi
Taxis from Belmopan can carry passengers to Blue Hole. Price starts around US $20.

Accommodations & Meals

For accommodations at the Blue Hole National Park, see the interactive map and click on the toucans.

Snacks & Refreshments: Almost everyday, the Women's Group from Armenia Village sells snacks and refreshments at the park.

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Swimming: The park boasts the Blue Hole itself, a 25-foot-deep pool filled from an underground source, which is usually sapphire blue (thus its name) and always very cool and refreshing!

Hiking: In the jungle around the pool is the Hummingbird Loop, an interpretive trail, which is part of over five miles of trails in the park. Other trails include the Highland and Lowland Trails, Camping Trail, and St. Herman’s Jungle Trail. These trails wind through forests that contain mahogany, nagoste, and cotton trees, ferns, cacti, and small orchids.

Observation Tower: An uphill hike from St. Herman’s Cave (see below) also leads to a hilltop observation tower above the rainforest canopy from which can be seen a panoramic view of the entire park.

Birding: The park is home to over 200 species of birds, and visitors can often spot ones such as the slaty-breasted tinamou, keel-billed toucan, and white hawk. Several of the local wardens are excellent birders.

Wildlife: Three species of wild cats have been sighted in the park - the Jaguar, Ocelot and Jaguarundi - and several other mammals as well, including the Baird’s Tapir and the Nine-banded Armadillo.

Caving: The National Park includes two caves. St. Herman’s Cave boasts stalactites, stalagmites, and curious formations in the limestone rock. Visitors can walk 300 yards into the cave entrance unguided or can hire a guide to traverse the cave completely, seeing untouched rock formations and Maya ceremonial pottery.

The Crystal Cave System, is one of 10 crystal cave systems in the world. It encompasses miles of huge caverns that are adorned with speleothems and crystalline formation, and also bears evidence of ancient Mayan civilization. Artifacts such as pottery, beads, obsidian knives, fire pits, charcoal ash and human skeletons are calcified in the limestone floor at Xibalba (Place of Fright), where ritual ceremonies were performed. Only a few licensed guides are permitted inside of the cave and visitors must have a guide. Marcos Cucol, a native of Belize and a K’ekchi Maya, guides visitors through both caves.

Cave Tubing: A cool option for traveling through St. Herman’s Cave.

Volunteer Opportunities: The Belize Audubon Society, a non-governmental membership organization, co-manages the Blue Hole National Park. They are dedicated to the sustainable management of our natural resources through leadership and strategic partnerships in order to create a balance between people and the environment.

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